Earth Science News
AFRICA NEWS
EU, South Africa leaders vow deeper ties amid US threats
EU, South Africa leaders vow deeper ties amid US threats
by AFP Staff Writers
Cape Town (AFP) Mar 13, 2025

The European Union and South Africa vowed to deepen cooperation at a summit on Thursday as both grapple with aid and trade threats from the new US administration.

European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen also plans to mobilise a 4.7-billion-euro ($5 billion) investment package in South Africa that includes funding for a transition to clean energy and to boost vaccine manufacturing.

The EU-South Africa summit came at a time of "global uncertainty ... characterised by rising unilateralism, economic nationalism", South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa said in opening remarks that referenced a huge global shake-up since US leader Donald Trump took office.

There had been a retreat from "a world order that seeks to advance all nations" and promote a human rights culture, he said.

"If there ever was a time when it is absolutely necessary for partners who share the same values to work together, this is the time, particularly when multilateralism is under attack, particularly when the world order process is also being weakened," he said.

"This is the time to work together in defence of what we believe in, democracy, the rule of law, including the respect for international law and international humanitarian law."

Ramaphosa said the turmoil on the global stage would only serve to strengthen South Africa's relationship with the EU.

"What is going on in the world is even going to strengthen our resolve to remain partners in order to tackle the many challenges that are arising," he told reporters at the end of the summit that included European Council President Antonio Costa.

- 'Rules-based international order' -

Both South Africa and the EU are grappling with dramatic policy shifts from Washington since Trump return to the White House this year, including on commitments to combat global warming, trade and tariffs, and Russia's war in Ukraine.

Trump's government has criticised South African policies and frozen crucial aid.

It has also imposed tariffs of 25 percent on steel and aluminium imports from EU and on Thursday threatened to impose a 200 percent tariff on wine, champagne and other alcoholic products from the 27-nation bloc.

The United States has meanwhile pulled out of a climate funding deal to help developing countries transition to clean energy, one of the main beneficiaries of which is South Africa.

Von der Leyen said the massive EU investment package included funding for a transition to clean energy from the wind and sun and through the production of hydrogen.

It would also go towards ramping up vaccine manufacturing in South Africa, the continent's most industrialised economy and this year's president of the G20 grouping of leading economies.

"We know that others are withdrawing. So here we want to be very clear with our message: we are doubling down with our support and are here to stay," the EU chief said at the end of summit, describing a "new chapter" in relations.

"We stand for a rules-based international order and rule of law over the rule of force," she said.

The EU was also "100 percent behind" South Africa's G20 presidency which will culminate in the group's first summit on the continent in November, she said.

The United States did not send it top ministers to the first G20 ministers meetings in South Africa this year, complaining the agenda was "anti-American".

The summit also discussed efforts to end the war in Ukraine, with President Volodymyr Zelensky expected in South Africa next month. "We've been encouraging both Ukraine and Russia to find a peaceful solution," Ramaphosa said.

South Africa is the EU's largest trading partner in sub-Saharan Africa, exporting some 24 billion euros in goods in 2023, mostly minerals and automotive goods.

The trade deficit is nonetheless inclined in favour of the EU.

Related Links
Africa News - Resources, Health, Food

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
AFRICA NEWS
Burkina army 'tortured and massacred' civilians: local source, NGO
Abidjan (AFP) Mar 13, 2025
Burkina Faso's army and allied volunteer militias "tortured and massacred" civilians in a revenge attack in the west of the country this week, an NGO official and a local source told AFP on Thursday. "Whole families of Fulani shepherds were killed in the bushes of Solenzo, in the Bema and Ban areas," the source told AFP on condition of anonymity, giving a toll of "several dozen deaths". Primarily nomadic herders, the Fulani people are often stigmatised across the wider Sahel, accused of collab ... read more

AFRICA NEWS
Dramatic increase in research funding needed to counter productivity slowdown in farming

On the Mongolian steppe, climate change pushes herders to the brink

EU countries back looser rules for gene-edited crops

Enhancing agrivoltaic synergies through optimized tracking strategies

AFRICA NEWS
Creditors appeal 3 bn lifeline for UK's top water supplier

Take 'precautionary approach' on deep-sea mining: top official tells AFP

Planetary Water Limits Pose Challenge to Geological Resource Production

Talks on divisive deep-sea mining resume in Jamaica

AFRICA NEWS
Spain to face increasingly 'severe' droughts: report

Scientists say Trump cuts threaten climate research, public safety

Doubts over climate funding as donors squeeze aid

Spain near end of four-year drought: weather agency

AFRICA NEWS
Artificial photosynthesis breakthrough replicates early plant processes

Identifying Key Organic-Inorganic Interaction Sites for Enhanced Emission in Hybrid Perovskites via Pressure Engineering

Groundbreaking Discovery Links Small Polaron Effect to Enhanced Spin Lifetime in 2D Lead Halide Perovskites

Cheap and environmentally friendly - the next generation LEDs may soon be here

AFRICA NEWS
Eco friendly low-cost energy storage system from pine biomass

Why Expanding the Search for Climate-Friendly Microalgae is Essential

Solar-powered reactor extracts CO2 from air to produce sustainable fuel

Zero Emissions Process for Truly Biodegradable Plastics Developed

AFRICA NEWS
Milei pledges funds for deluge-stricken Argentine city

Israel to immediately cut off electricity to Gaza, minister says

UK makes manslaughter arrest of ship captain over North Sea crash

US to deploy 600 additional troops to southern border

AFRICA NEWS
Trump says Iran 'will be held responsible' for Huthi attacks

U.S. officials act to block illicit Iranian oil trade with China

BP says gas leak stopped off coast of Senegal, Mauritania

China urges 'dialogue' after Yemen rebels say attacked US carrier

AFRICA NEWS
Panama 'firm' on canal as US reportedly weighs options

Hong Kong's Hutchison under fire again for Panama ports deal

Bangladesh's Yunus to visit China this month

Markets start week on front foot as China unveils consumer plan

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.